Gas-engine.



' 1. c. ENGLISH.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR ESSE BY m N LmTToRmEv J. C. ENGLISH.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION HLED MAY 5. ISIS.

1,249,938,, Patented Dem. 11,1917".

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOF? WITNESSES T im BY M a I I ATTORNEY l. C. ENGLISH.

GAS ENGINE. AIfPLI CAHOR FILED MAY 5. I913.

1,249,933. Patentefl Dec. 11, 1912:.

5 SHEETS-SHEET.

(RIVER/TOW (Z2600 51 19,545

WI TWESSES ATTORNEY J. c. ENGLISH GAS ENGINE. v APPLICAHON FILED MAY 51 I913.

Patented Dec. 11; 191?.

-SHEET 5.

' 5 SHEETS INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY illl ""EUNTTED STATES RAEFENT OFFTCE.

JOHN C. ENGLISH, F CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

- GAS-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. ENGLISH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Camden, county of Camden, and State of New Jersey, have invented oertain new and useful Improvements in Gasl lngines, of which the following is a speci fication.

The main objects of this invention are to provide improved means for the distribution of actuating fluid in motors actuated by an elastic fluid under pressure, and more specifically to provide in an internal combustion motor, improved valves and valve actuating mechanism; and to provide other improvements as will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a four cycle internal combustion motor or gas engine constructed in accordance with this in vention; Fig. 2 a fragmentary end elevation of the same, partly in vertical trans verse section; Fig. 3 a fragmentary side ele vation of a portion of the same,showing the valve mechanism at a different stage of operation from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 1 a transverse section on the line ll of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged diagrammatic views showing the valve with its ports arranged in open and in closed pos1- tions respectively; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged portion of Fig. 1; and Figs. 8, 9. and 11 are views showing a modified form of this invention, Fig. 8 being a fragmentary side elevation partly in vertical section, Figs. 9 and 10 being fragmentary side elevations, and Fig. 11 a fragmentary top plan view, of the same.

Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of this invention comprises a hollow cylinder 1 in which reciprocates in the usual nmnuer a piston 2. The head 3 of the cylinder is provided with the usual or any suitable spark plug t and means cooperating therewith for generating the spark to explode a combustible mixture of gases in the cylinder 1 at suitable intervals. The cylinder 1 is preferably surrounded by a jacket 5, providing a passage 6 for water or other fluid for cooling the cylinder. The cylinder 1 is rigidly combined in any suitable mannc'r with the usual. or any suitable crank case 7, which carries the usual crank shaft 8 which is connected to the piston 2 by the usual connecting rod 9.

For controlling the admission of a coin- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11,1917.

Application filed May 5, 1913. ScrialNo. 765,425.

bustible mixture of gases into the cylinder, there is arranged on one side of the cylin der adjacent to its head, a substantially cylindrical. valve case 10, the inner side of which is. provided with a flange 11, in this lnstance substantially square in outline, which is rigidly secured by means of cap screws 12. or other suitable means, to a corresponding flat seat 13 provided therefor on the adjacent side of the cylinder 1. This seat 13 is, in the instance illustrated, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the crank shaft 8. Thevalve case 10 is preferably provided with a water jacket 15 providing a compartment 16.

The central portion of the inner surface of the valve case 10 is in the form of a concave, conical valve seat arranged about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 1, and also substantially perpendicular to the flat seat 13 of the valve case 10. Coaxial with the valve seat. 20 and extending outwardly through the case 10 is a cylindrical aperture 2-1, which forms a bearing for the cylindrical hollow through the valve case 10 and projecting outwardly therefrom. The valve seat 20 is provided with a plurality (in this instance four) of ports 25, arranged radially with respect to the seat and communicatingwith an annular passage 26 provided therefor outside of the seat and within the valve case 10, and through which the valve ports communicate with a supply pipe 31, which is connected to any suitable source of supply (not shown) of a combustible mixture of gases, as for instance. a suitable carburetor.

For quickly opening or closing the ports 25 in the conical valve seat 20, two cooperating conical disk valves and 36 are arranged coaxially with the conical valve seat 20. One, 35, these valves has its convex conical side bearing directly against the concave conical valve seat 20 and is integral with. or otherwise rigidly secured to the inner end of the hollow valve stem 22, which projects snugly but rotatably through the cylindrical opening 21 through the valve case 10. The other, 36, of these valves, is arranged inside of and with its convex conical side in sliding contact with the conical concave inner side of the outer valve 35, and isintegral or otherwise rigid with the inner portion ofa valve stem 37, which ertends snugly but rotatably through valve stem 22 extending the hollow valve stem 22 coaxially-therewith, and projects outwardly therefrom. The inner end of this stem 37 projects inwardly from its valve 36 and is reducedindiameter and engages snugly but rotatably in avcylindrical recess 37 provided therefor in the outer surface of the wall of the cylinder 1, and which forms air-end bearing for the stem 37.

Each of these valves 35 and" 36 is provided with a plurality of ports 38 and 38,

corresponding in number, form and arrangement with the ports 25" of the valve seat, the ports 38" of one vane; being arranged to register with the ports 38" of the other valve, when the valves are in position for this purpose, and the ports-138 and 38 of both valves are under elvcessive'p'ressure, an improved valve mechanism is" provided for oscillating the valves intermittently andquickly in opposite directions, respectively. This valve mechanism comprises an inner lever 40 whichig rigidly securedto the outer end of thenholflowvahe stem 22' by means of a set screw 40, which is threaded through the lever'and engages'fi'against the hollow valve sterri22, the lever 40 being rot atably adj ustable with respect to the-hollow valve stem. A seeend or outer lever 41" is rigidly secured in a similar manner: to the outer end of the other-valve stem 37 by means of a set screw 41, this second lever being rotatably adj ustable with respect to its-stem; Adjacent the lever4l and spaced slightly'tlie'refron'i in a direction toward the c'rank-shafti8 is a transmission lever 42,- which is mounted to oscillateabout a fixedpivot" 43 extending through one end of the transmission lever in a direc tio'n'parallel-to the axis-of oscillation of the valves35 and 36. Thetransmis'sion' lever 42 is pivotally connected, by means of a link 44; to the free end'of the lever 41 which is connected to theinne'r valve ste'm,-,and by meansof link 45 to the lever 40, which is connected to the hollow valve stem. The two valve levers- 40 and 41 are" thus; connected by the transmission'lever 42 and links 44 and 45,- so that when the transmission lever 42 is oscillated in a given direction about its pivot 43, the outer valve lever 4l,- wh'ichnc'ontrols the inner valve 36;will heosc'illated in one direction, whillitheinner valve lever 40, which controls'theoiit'er valve 35; will be oscillated "iii-an opposite direction, the from struct-i n at the valveme'chinisin beingsuch that the innervalve lever and the cor responding outer valve will be moved at a greater speed of rotation than the outer valve lever 41 and the corresponding inner valve 36.

For limiting the oscillation of the inner valve lever 40 clockwise, and the outrr valvc lever 41 in the opposite direction, a yielding stop 46 is secured in any suitable manner, preferably in the path of the free end oi the inner valve lever 40, in a holder 47 fixed upon the valve case 10, the holder n'cl'erably providing a vertical aperture or opening 47, and the stop 46 being preferably vcrtic: lly adjustable with respect to the holder and clamped in any position of adjustment by means of a screw 48 and washer 45). The stop 46 is preferably made of a yielding material to avoid unnecessary noise, and it has been found that strips of cloth or felt clamped together form an eilicient stop for this purpose. A spiral spring 50 may be connected at one end to the lever 40 and fixedly secured at its other end to the valve case 10 in such a manner as to normally hold the lever 40 in ongagement with the yielding stop 46 and to tend to swing the lever 40 toward the stop 46 when the lever has been displaced trom the stop.

For oscillating the valve levers 40 and 41, any suitable means may be used to transmit motion from a moving part of the motor to one of the valve levers, or to the trans mission lever 42-, the means being prei'cr ably such that an intermittent movement will be given to the valves so that the valves will not be moved under any excessive pres sure and will not be performing any unnecessary work. In the construction illustrated. an intermittent oscillatory motion is transmitted to the valves from an eccentric 57 whicl rigidly mounted upon an eccentric shaft .76 preferably substantially parallel to the main shaft 8 and mounted to rotate about a fixed axis in suitable l icarings 57 carried by the crank case 7. Mounted iipon the eccentric is the usual or any suitable split eccentric sleeve or strap 58, which carries rigid therewith an eccentric rod 5.), the upper portion 59' of which is preferably cylindrical in shape and of smaller diameter than the lower portion, providing an abrupt annular shoulder 60 between the upper portion 59 and the lower portion 59. This upper reduced portion 59 of the cccentric rod is arranged to slide freely in an aperturoGi provided thcrct'or in the free end of the transmission lever The upper end of the eccentric rod 59 provided with a nut 62 threaded thereon and held in any desired position by means of a lock nut 63. Surrounding the reduced portion 59 oi the eccentric rod and arranged brtwccn the nut 62 and the transmission lever 42 is a spiral spring 64, which is held at all times in a state of compression, tending to oscillate the naaaeea transmission lever 42 clockwise: Surrounding the reduced portion 59' of the eccentrio rod and in contact with or adjacent to the annular shoulder 60 is a collar held adjustably in position by means of a set screw 66, the collar being adjustable rotatably and also longitudinally of the reduced portion 59'. Upon the upper portion of the collar 65 are rigidly secured one or more yielding washers 67, the upper one being positioned to engage the under surface oi the transmission lever 42 at a predetermined time in the cycle of the operation of the motor. The eccentric shaft 56 may be rotated. in. any suitable manner from the crank shaft 8, as for instance, by means of a gear wheel fixed upon the eccentric shaft and engaging a corresponding gear wheel. 71 fixed upon the crank shaft 8, the ratio of the pitch diameters of the gear wheels 70 and 71 being in the instance illustrated, two to one, as is customary in four cycle engines. lit is to be understood that duplicate distributing mechanism may be used to control the inlet and the exhaust respectively of each cylinder of the motor, the eccentric of the exhaust being set in angular relation to the eccentric oi": the inlet to secure the proper timing of the exhaust. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, the inlet mechanism is shown in full upon one side of the cylinder, and a fragmentary portion 75, of the duplicate of the inlet mechanism, is shown as arranged to control the exhaust port 7 6 of the cylin der.

For lubricating the valves 35 and 36 and their valve stems, an oppositely disposed annular recess may be provided in the valves forming an annular conduit between the valves, which is arranged to communicate by suitable 'adial conduits 81 through the valves with the inner end of a longitudinal central conduit 82 provided in the inner valve stem, the outer end of the latter conduit 82 being closedby a suitable cap 83 threaded therein. Radial branch conduits St leading from the central conduit 82 through the two valve stems lubricate the cylindrical surfaces of both stems and also supply lubrication betweenthe convex conical surface of the outer valve 35 and its seat Oil may be supplied to the conduit 82 either by removing the cap 83 and injecting oil into the open end of the conduit, or a continuous supply of oil may be fed or forced through a pipe 86 connected to a stationary sleeve 87 loosely surrounding the inner valve stem 37 between the outer end of the valve stem 22 and the inner surface of the valve lever 41, the pipe 86 communicating through the sleeve 87 with an internal annular groove 88in the sleeve and from the groove through one or more apertures eEH-hrough the inner-valve stem 37 with the conduit 82. An annular oil groove 90 may be provided between the outer valve: 35 and the valve seat 525 and connected by branch passages 90 through the outer valve 35 to the annular conduit 80 between the two valves.

It is thought that the operation of the construction illustrated is apparent from the foregoing descripion, it being understood that the arrangement of the valves and their actuating mechanism is such that when the eccentric rod 59 is in its uppermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the valves 35 and 36 will be fully open, that is to say, the ports 38 and 38 of both valves will be arranged to register with the ports 25 oil the valve seat 20, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and when the eccentric rod 59 is in its lowermost position, the valves 35 and 36 will be closed, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. l l ith these conditions in mind, it is evident that the valves will remain. stationary in closed positionduring predermined periods or intervalsin the cycle of: operation of the motor and during a greater part of the time, the inlet valves being oscillated quickly in opposite directions respectively to open the inlet port just prior to the intake stroke of the piston. and again to bring the inlet valves into closed position substantially at the end of the intake stroke, the valves being held in a state of rest by means of a spiral spring 6st and the stop 4-6 from about the beginning of the compression stroke through the whole of the compression, and explosion or power strokes, and throughout the greater part oil the exhaust or scavenger stroke. The exhaust valves shown in part at 75 oil: Fig. 2, would, in. a corresponding manner, begin to open just prior to or about the beginning of the exhaust stroke and would be closed near the end of the exhaust stroke, remaining stationary in a closed position during the intake, compression, and substantially all of the explosion strokes of the piston.

For equalizing the wear between the valves 35 and 36 and between the inner valve 35 and the valve seat 20, the valves are independently rotatively adjustable and are held in any position of adjustment with respect to their actuating levers a0 and ill by means of set screws 40 and all, as hereinbei ore described, and for conveniently effecting the adjustment of the valves rota tively, each of the valve stems 37 and 22 is provided with a plurality of circular re cesses, 91, and 92 respectively, adapted to receive the inner end of the corresponding set screw, corresponding in arrangement and number to the arrangement and number of the ports in each valve, each valve being provided, in the form illustrated, with four ports oil equal size spaced uni formly about the axis at. the valve, ahd

ltltl the recesses 91 and 92 in each valve stem being consequently four in number and spaced. 90 apart. These recesses 91 and 92 are: so arranged that when the set screws 10" and 41v are in position in any of their respective recesses 92, 91, the valves are set in operative positions. This-arrangement makes it possible to adjust either of the valves into any one of several predetermined operative positions with respect to its respective actuating lever by simply loosening the corresponding set screw d0 or 41 and rotating the valve stem to bring it into the desired position, as indicated by the corresponding recess 91 or 92, and then securing the lever in place by tightening the set screw, thus effecting the desired rearrangement of the valve;

' In: the hereinbefore described embodiment of this invention, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusively, the valve actuating mechanism is ordinarily so adjusted as to provide a full opening of the valves during each cycle of operation, but the construction is such, however, that the amount of this opening might be varied by adjusting the stationary collar longitudinally of the eccentric rod 59. This adjustment, however, may only be performed conveniently while the engine is at rest. To provide means for conveniently varying, while the engine is in operation, the amount of oscillation, and consequently the amount of opening of the valves, the modified construction shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, may be substituted for the eccentricrod 59 and its adjustable collar 65, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, for oscillating the transmission lever 12 to actuate the valves, as hereinbefore described. In this modified construction, instead of the 'eccen tric rod 59 hereinbefore described, an eccentric'rod 100 is substituted, the upper portion of which is reduced in diameter, as at 101, and extends loosely through the aperture 61 provided in the transmission lever -12, as hereinbefore described, the upper portion of the loose portion of the rod being surrounded by a spiral spring 102 corresponding to the spiral spring 64, and also being provided, with two nuts 108 and 10% threaded upon the upper end of the rod and corresponding to the nuts 62 and 63 hereinbefore described. The reduced portion 101 of the rod isprovided with threads, preferably of double or triple form, and upon the reduced portion 101 an elongated nut 105V correspondingly threaded is arranged to perform the function performed by 'the stationary collar 65, and upon the upjtieiiendofthe elongated nut 105 may be arranged? one or, more yielding Washers 106 to; perform the function 'hereinbefore described ofjtheyielding washers'67. To adjust thexelongated nut 105 longitudinally of thestem;10l .-Whi1e the ngi aiszi opera? naaaess tion; or to hold the nut in a substantially stationary position with respect to the occentric rod 100 during the operation of the engine, as may be desired, the nut 105 is provided with a laterally projecting arm 107 rigid therewith, to the outer end o l which is rigidly secured the lower end of a vertical rigid stem 108, the upper portion of which projects loosely through a transverse aperture 109 provided therefor in the laterally enlarged portion of a flat horizontally reeiprocatory bar 110 which is mounted to slide in guides 111 and 112, one of these guides being preferably provided with a spring catch 113 arranged to engage in any one of a plurality of recesses 11 1 provided therefor in the bar to hold the bar in fixed position of adjustment longitudinally. The bar may beprovided at one end with a handle 115, for convenience of operation, and when this device is used upon an automobile, the handle may be arranged in a convenient place in front of the driver. In Fig. 8, this device is shown as it would appear if substituted in Fig. 1 for the eccentric rod 59, and as set to give substantially a full or maximum opening of the valves, the valves however being closed. In Fig. 9 the device is shown as it would appear if substituted in Fig. 3 for the eccentric rod 59, and as set to give substantially a full opening of the valves, the valves being full open. In Fig. 10 the device is shown as it would appear if substituted in Fig. 1 for the eccentric rod 59, and as set to reduce the amount of opening of the valves from a full opening to a. comparatively small opening, the valves however being closed. It is obvious that by suitably proportioning the ports, the device might be used to prevent the opening of i the valves and in any case could be utilized instead of the ordinary throttle to control the speed of the engine.

Although only two forms have been illustrated in which this invention may be embodied, the invention is not limited to any specific structure herein shown, as it is evident that it may be embodied in various other forms to meet various needs, without. departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. In a, motor, the combination with a valve, of means for oscillating said valve comprising a. reciprocatory rod, a nut threaded upon said rod, and means to rotate said nut while said rod'is inoperation.

2. In a motor, the combination with a valve, of means for oscillating said valve comprising a reciprocatory rod, a nut threaded upon said rod, means to rotate said nut while said rod is in operation, said 5-1- 3 e n fl g; 5 ll Q -Y intense member, and means carried by said nut and actuated by said member.

3. The combination With tWo elements arranged to oscillate, of a rotary shaft, and means comprising an independently pivoted leve arranged to be actuated by a continuous rotation of said shaft for giving an intermittent oscillation to each of said elements.

4-. The combination With tWo elements arranged to oscillate about the same axis, of a rotary shaft, and means comprising a lever of the second class arranged to be actuated by a continuous rotation of said shaft for giving; an intermittent oscillation to each of said elements.

5. The combination with two elements aranged to oscillate, of a rotary shaft, and means arranged to be actuated by a continuous rotation of said shaft for giving an intermittent oscillation to each of said elements, said means comprising an eccentric mounted upon said shaft, an eccentric rod actuated by said eccentric and a lever of the second class pivoted on an axis removed from the axis of oscillation of said elements,

6. ln a valve actuating mechanism, the combination with two levers arranged to oscillate about a common axis, of a transmission member mounted to oscillate about an axis barallel to said first-mentioned axis, means connecting said transmission member to each of said levers and arranged to oscillate said lcvers simultaneously in opposite directions respectively whenever said transmission member is moved in either direction about its axis, and means for giving said transmission member an intermittent oscillation.

'2', la a valve actuatingmechanism the combination with two levers arranged to oscillate about a common axis, of a transber to each of said levers and arranged to oscillate said levers simultaneously in oppo site directions respectively Whenever said transmission member is moved in either direction about its axis, and means for givingsaid transmission member an intermittent oscillation, said means including a rod eirtending slidably through an aperture provided therefor in said transmission member and having a limited longitudinal movement independently of said transmission member.

8. in a valve actuating mechanism, the combination with two levers arranged to oscillate about a common axis, of a transmission member mounted to oscillate about an axis parallel to said first-mentioned axis, means connecting said transmission member to each of said levers and arranged to oseillate said levers simultaneously in opposite directions respectively Whenever said transmission member is moved in either direc tion about its axis, and means for giving" said transmission member an intermittent oscillation, said means including a rod extending slidably through an aperture provided thereforin said transmission member and having a limited longitudinal movemeat independently of said transmission member, and a spiral spring surrounding said rod and engaging said transmission member.

In Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of May, it. D. 1913.

JUHN U, lENGLlSH, ll itnesses Abelson lmvin Gannmsn, Atrzrannnn Paula,

denies at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the tlommlsslener at Patents, Washington, D, (2.. 

